Sorry, this restaurant just didn't do it for me. Service was not great and we weren't impressed with the food. Nice setting though, but can't recommend it. Can't understand the rave reviews, but perhaps it was an off day there.
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Wanna be a vegan, vegetarian etc. there are great places specifically for this activity. The owner of the Cafe La Strada is the most down to earth genuine person I have met. I don't know of a restaurant that can hold a candle to this place locally and my passion is food (the last pleasure in life). Even though the owner of this place SHOULD be arrogant etc. because she is often imitated and never duplicated she isn't basically she is a bionic sweetheart. I can't even go to any other italian place due to spoiled by Cafe La Strada syndrome. Maybe the spoiled west coast vegetarians can see my point but don't count on it.
Pros: World class dishes
Cons: Crowded but worth the wait.
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Being locals, my husband and I have enjoyed the food at Cafe La Strada in the past, despite the obvious arrogance of the owner and others working there. However, when we went there for Valentine's to enjoy a romantic dinner, we were treated quite rudely by the waitress. There were only a handful of other customers in the restaurant at the time (it was very early in the evening), but it still took her about 15 minutes just to take our drink order. When I asked that we be served one entree at a time (we enjoy sharing our meals), she got irritated. I then ordered the halibut, expecting it to be as good as it had been on previous occasions, but this time it was dried out and cold. They cannot use the excuse of the restaurant being so busy that they couldn't prepare meals at their standard quality; it wasn't busy at the time. In the end, we refused to let the very poor service and substandard food ruin our Valentine's Day; however, we will never visit this establishment again and will pass on the word to our friends in the area.
Cons: difficult to park, arrogant staff, poor service
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Caffe La Strada is our favorite restaurant. My husband and I eat there every Friday evening. I always get the Eggplant Parmesan (the best and ONLY good version of this dish that I've found) and he always tries something different, usually one of their Salmon or Chicken Specialties. It is so wonderful to be brought our wine without even asking as the staff seem to know all of their customers so well and treat them like family. We love this place!
Pros: Food is awesome, service is friendly and good, only family-run business in Belmont Shore
Cons: Parking is a little hard sometimes
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Their seemingly descriptive menu fails to mention the use of meat products in their dishes and what's even worse, the OWNER will insinuate that it is YOUR fault for not asking before ordering. Being a foodie and ordering the same dish everywhere (and researching that this dish does NOT customarily contain chicken broth), she was out of line and ruined a customer's experience. Her menu listed ""all"" ingredients so why would I need to ask? She should also learn that although being in the industry for 20 years, she needs to educate her workers to know the menu and give prompt/correct answers as well for I did ask about ingredients after the food arrived and was given incorrect information. Extremely awful attitude.
Pros: value
Cons: service, can't trust the menu
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When we lived in Belmont Shore we ate here often. Now a few miles away, we still look forward to a meal at La Strada. It's unpretentious atmosphere and service make it welcoming and comfortable. The food is not world class, but neither are the prices. The fare is tasty and consistant, and any guests that we've ever brought request to go back. It's a small place, like a neighborhood eatery should be, so it's best not to take a large group. The small chairs/tables bother some, but I find it charming. Skip coffee and desert and stroll 2nd St. for that. Expect a short wait on weekends.
Pros: inexpensive, consistant quality, unpretentious
Cons: , parking at times
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La Strada makes the best pesto sauce I have ever had - it's amazing. They also make homemade bread that is so good it's hard not to gorge yourself on it completely before the meal comes.
Pros: Great food, Cheap, People watching
Cons: , Service slow
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The meal was a bit bland but for the price paid, it was worth it...Seating is very crowding even though the place wasn't crowded...You could definitely hear the secrets that were whispered at your neighbor's table.
Pros: inexpensive
Cons: crowded, bland food
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